hypotheses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hypotheses" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in academic or scientific contexts to refer to proposed explanations or predictions that can be tested through research or experimentation. Example: "The researchers formulated several hypotheses to explore the relationship between diet and health outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Adjudicating between the two hypotheses is almost impossible though.

The Guardian

There's not enough research to be definitive, but there are plenty of plausible hypotheses.

The Guardian

The report notes some criticsims are based on "hypotheses that harm could occur under certain scenarios", notably the risk that plant genes could effect genes in animal organs.

The Guardian

This manuscript then goes through the usual peer review process, and is assessed on criteria such as the soundness of the methods and analysis, and overall plausibility of the stated hypotheses.

The Guardian

The effect is familiar to pharmaceutical companies: a handful of successful drug trials get headlines while thousands of failures, with all the promising hypotheses they entail and data that they can yield, are forgotten.

The Economist

But the fossil record is also littered with smaller, though still significant, blips in the diary of life.Many hypotheses have been put forward to explain these extinctions (they may, of course, not all have the same explanation).

The Economist

More sophisticated quantitative models describing, for example, the movement of molecules across a cell membrane in terms of mathematical equations based on fundamental laws of physics—have also been employed for decades.But there is only so much insight, and so many hypotheses, to be gleaned from simple models.

The Economist

That also spread over the course of the 20th century, and at a similar rate to group M until its 1960s growth spurt but it did so in west Africa rather than central Africa.Two hypotheses have been advanced to explain the discrepancy.

The Economist

Three-quarters of the cost of developing a successful drug goes to paying for all the failed hypotheses and blind alleys pursued along the way.

The Economist

One of my own pet hypotheses is that human life becomes literally more valuable to the living as we become wealthier and longer-lived.

The Economist

He observes that in the 19th century and for most of the 20th, too, scientific progress usually came from brilliant individuals formulating and testing hypotheses using data accumulated by relatively modest means.Big science has its place, of course.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "hypotheses", clearly state the variables being tested and the predicted relationship between them.

Common error

Avoid presenting "hypotheses" as established facts. Always acknowledge that they are tentative explanations requiring empirical support.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hypotheses" is as a plural noun. It typically serves as the subject or object of a verb, denoting multiple proposed explanations for a phenomenon, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "hypotheses", as Ludwig AI confirms, is a grammatically correct and very common plural noun, primarily used in formal and scientific contexts. It denotes proposed explanations or predictions requiring empirical testing. Key related terms include "theories", "speculations", and "assumptions", each carrying distinct nuances. Remember to clearly state variables and predicted relationships when using "hypotheses", and avoid presenting them as proven facts. Occurring frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business sources, "hypotheses" is a staple in academic and research writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

theories

While both refer to explanations, "theories" are generally broader and more established than "hypotheses".

speculations

"Speculations" imply a greater degree of uncertainty and less formal testing than "hypotheses".

conjectures

"Conjectures" are similar to speculations, suggesting a conclusion based on incomplete information.

suppositions

"Suppositions" are assumptions made as a basis for reasoning, often without strong evidence.

assumptions

"Assumptions" are statements accepted as true without proof, differing from "hypotheses" which are tested.

premises

"Premises" are foundational statements used to build an argument, distinct from testable explanations.

propositions

"Propositions" are statements that can be either true or false, and may or may not be tested.

predictions

"Predictions" are forecasts about what will happen, often derived from a hypothesis.

inferences

"Inferences" are conclusions reached based on evidence and reasoning, but not necessarily formalized into testable statements.

postulates

"Postulates" are fundamental assumptions accepted as true, often in mathematical or logical systems.

FAQs

How do I use "hypotheses" in a sentence?

"Hypotheses" is the plural form of hypothesis. You can use it when referring to multiple proposed explanations or predictions that need to be tested. For example: "The researchers formulated several "hypotheses" to explain the phenomenon."

What are some alternatives to the word "hypotheses"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "theories", "speculations", or "assumptions". Each word carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

What is the difference between "hypotheses" and "theories"?

While both attempt to explain phenomena, "hypotheses" are tentative explanations that need to be tested, whereas "theories" are well-substantiated explanations supported by a large body of evidence.

Are "hypotheses" the same as "predictions"?

Not exactly. "Hypotheses" are proposed explanations, while "predictions" are specific statements about what will happen if a hypothesis is correct. Predictions are derived from hypotheses and tested through experiments.